There's plenty more fish in the sea (A Grand Don't Come For Free - Streets)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	A Grand Don't Come For Free - Streets
Date:	17/10/09 (162 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Original, quirky, contemporary

Disadvantages: Drugs, sex, violence and swearing

A Grand Don't Come For Free

The Streets: 2004

I find it very hard to believe that this album is now 5 years old, very hard. Mike Skinner, the lead singer of The Streets is a savvy, white, Brummie' boy who seems to have made it in the World of garage/grime and this album, the band's 2nd (though I could not tell you anyone else in the band) certainly outshone his first, and truth be told, his third album has not met with anything near the acclaim that this one did.

This album is really quite interesting in that firstly it follows a story, a narrative from the first song to the last so really, in my opinion should be listened to, in order, a few songs at a time, in order to build the story.

Secondly, there are a couple of tracks which were released as singles, that made it on their own, without being part of the overall story, probably because they contain a story within each song.

In this we have to take our hats off to Mr. Skinner, very clever and very talented. He is not the best vocalist in the World by a very long way, but his gruff, almost laconic story telling style (not quite rap) is actually incredibly infectious and endearing.

So what is the story?

Well if you are prudish and or vehemently anti-drugs it will not appeal to you. Basically each song is a chapter in a young 'ravers' (can I still say that?) life from having a thousand pounds, taking drugs, going to a club, meeting a girl, breaking up with said girl, losing said thousand pounds, getting extremely paranoid as a result of drug taking, falling out with mates due to the paranoia and finally finding the thousand pounds...phew....there you go...and if any over officious guide rates me down for telling the ending/giving spoilers...it aint a film, get a grip!

The songs are surprisingly musically well composed for the genre in my opinion and vary quite a lot from track to track. We also see very different sides of Skinners vocal talents...or some might say, lack of vocal talent....the first track shows his stiff, staccato, awkward rapping and then when we get to 'Dry your eyes' we see that he can actually sing, his voice quite gentle and soothing.

In fact this side of him comes through over the whole album, he is clearly a lot more thoughtful and reflective than he gets credit for and the songs on this album all seem to be able to strike a chord with the listener at different points, that is the art of any good story telling, especially through music.

There are a couple of songs on this album that are, to me inspirational....'Fit but you know it' is so funny and so 'real' that it takes the listener to their own memory bank with total ease. 'Dry your eyes' I have mentioned briefly, but it deserves much more than a brief mention.

A song about breaking up, from the eyes of a young man absolutely devastated and using language and visual imagery that is so precise, so real that we cannot help but associate with it...I've been there, and so will most of the young men (not that I'm young) that listen to this...it is a song that is able to talk about a blokes feelings in a blokes way...absolutely bloomin' ace. From the opening strings we have an angst song, never any doubt. The use of expletives has never been more appropriate in a song, we really feel what he (the character) feels...perfect song that will stand the test of time of that I have no doubt.

So.....An album about clubbing, drugs, break ups, paranoia, full of swearing, dodgy vocals and very much a one off.....any good?.......absolutely brilliant, 5 stars for originality and the lyrics.....I would recommend this album to anyone without a moments hesitation....something for the weekend sir?


~~Full Track Listing~~

1. It Was Supposed to Be So Easy
2. Could Well Be In
3. Not Addicted
4. Blinded by the Lights
5. Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way
6. Get Out of My House
7. Fit But You Know It
8. Such a Twat
9. What Is He Thinking?
10. Dry Your Eyes
11. Empty Cans

Summary: The Streets